Interchangeable shoe components

ABSTRACT

A shoe including secure, interchangeable straps and a base is described.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/693,616, filed Jul. 3, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments of the invention relate generally to a shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A shoe is an important element of fashion. However, many shoes often need to be purchased by a single user to match colors and fashion styles.

SUMMARY

A shoe can have an interchangeable upper portion to be used with a sole.

In one aspect, a shoe can include a sole member having a top surface and an edge circumscribing the sole member, the top surface including at least two sections of at least one pair of mating members, each mating member extending outwardly from the top surface of the sole member; and at least two straps, each strap having a first end and a second end and each of the first end and the second end including a coupling feature that affixes to the strap to the coupling feature of the mating member.

In another aspect, a shoe system can include a sole member having a top surface and an edge circumscribing the sole member, the top surface including at least two sections of at least one pair of mating members, each mating member extending outwardly from the top surface of the sole member; and at least two straps, each strap having a first end and a second end and each of the first end and the second end including a coupling feature that affixes to the strap to the coupling feature of the mating member. In certain embodiments, the shoe system can include a second set of at least two straps having a different appearance that the first at least two straps.

In certain embodiments, one pair of mating members can be a loop and at least one of the first end and the second end of at least one strap can extend through the loop and the coupling feature affixes to the strap.

In certain embodiments, the coupling feature can affix to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a snap or slide lock fastener.

In certain embodiments, the coupling feature can affix to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a hook and eye.

In certain embodiments, the coupling feature can affix to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a cuff link-styled connector.

In certain embodiments, the coupling feature can affix to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a shirt stud-styled connector.

In certain embodiments, one pair of mating members can be a tab including a complementary coupling features and at least one of the first end and the second end of at least one strap can affix the coupling feature of the strap to the coupling feature affixes to a complementary coupling feature of the strap of the tab.

In certain embodiments, the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature can form a snap or slide lock fastener.

In certain embodiments, the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature can form a hook and eye.

In certain embodiments, the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature can include a hole that affixes a cuff link-styled connector.

In certain embodiments, the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature can a hole that affixes a shirt stud-styled connector.

Other features and advantages of the invention are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 are drawings depicting an embodiment of a shoe.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are drawings depicting an alternative embodiment of a shoe.

FIG. 21 is a drawing showing a shoe system.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, the use of the term “mount,” “mounted” or “mounting” is meant to broadly include any technique or method of mounting, attaching, joining or coupling one part to another, whether directly or indirectly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention may be embodied in various forms. Referring to the Figures wherein like numerals indicate like elements, FIG. 1 depicts a shoe can include a sole member 101 having a top surface 102 and an edge 103 circumscribing the sole member. Mating members 104 extend outwardly from the top surface of the sole member. Referring to FIG. 3, strap 114 can have a first end 112 and a second end (not shown) and each of the first end and the second end including a coupling feature 115 that affixes to the strap to the coupling feature of the mating member. In this embodiment, coupling feature 115 is a snap with complementary coupling feature 117. The coupling features permit the strap to be fixed in place when the end is passed through the loop and the coupling feature is closed. Referring to FIG. 4, shoe 202 includes straps 220 and 222.

In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, coupling feature 120 is a hook and eye connection with complementary coupling feature 121, which connect to provide shoe 204 (FIG. 6). In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 7, coupling feature 122 is a hole and complementary coupling feature 124 is a second hole, which are connected with a cuff-link-styled connector 126, which connect to provide shoe 206 (FIG. 8). In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, coupling feature 128 is a hole and complementary coupling feature 130 is a second hole, which are connected with a shirt stud-styled connector 132, which connect to provide shoe 208 (FIG. 10).

In another embodiment, FIG. 11 depicts a shoe can include a sole member 301 having a top surface 302 and an edge 303 circumscribing the sole member. The top surface includes at least two sections of at least one pair of mating members 304, each mating member extending outwardly from the top surface of the sole member. The mating member 304 can include a coupling feature 313. Strap 320 can have a first end 316 and a second end 318. Strap 322 can have a first end and a second end. Each of the first end and the second end including a complementary coupling feature 315, 317, 319, 321 that affixes to the strap to the coupling feature 313 of the mating member 304. In this embodiment, coupling feature 315, 317, 319, 321 is a snap with complementary coupling feature 313. The coupling features permit the strap to be fixed in place with the end as shown in the insert. Referring to FIG. 12, shoe 404 includes straps 420 and 422. In other words, one pair of mating members can be a tab including a complementary coupling features and at least one of the first end and the second end of at least one strap can affix the coupling feature of the strap to the coupling feature affixes to a complementary coupling feature of the strap of the tab.

In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 13, coupling feature 333 is a hook and eye connection with one of complementary coupling features 323, 325, 327, 329 of strap 330 or 332, which connect to provide shoe 406 with straps 424 and 426 (FIG. 14). In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 15, coupling feature 341 is a hole and complementary coupling feature 331, 333, 335, 337 is a second hole, which are connected with a cuff-link-styled connector 343, which connect to provide shoe 408 with straps 428, 432 (FIG. 16). In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 17, coupling feature 353 is a hole and complementary coupling feature 343, 345, 347, 349 is a second hole, which are connected with a shirt stud-styled connector 355, which connect to provide shoe 410 with straps 434, 436 (FIG. 18). In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 19, coupling feature 132 is a hole and complementary coupling feature 134 is a slide lock fastener that fits into the hole to provide loop 136. In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 20, coupling feature 362 is a hole in each of mating members 304 in sole member 301 and complementary coupling feature 363, 365, 367, 369 is a slide lock to form connection 370.

The shoe can be any style of shoe, for example, a sandal, a flip-flop, a shoe with a heel or a shoe without a heel).

The shoe can be sold as a packaged system or as separate components. For example, the package can be a “starter package” including a right shoe sole, left shoe sole and an assortment of 2-6 strap colors or styles. Referring to FIG. 21, the package can include a shoe system including sole member 501. There can be straps 410 of a first color and straps of a second color, and, optionally, straps of a third color.

In general, there can be different types of loops for the sole member. The loops can be stitched, glued, taped, or cemented to the insole or midsole or footbed of sole member. If attached to the midsole, the insole will then be applied on top of the midsole and can have cutouts for the loop ends, so they rest on top of the insole or footbed.

The three different loops (or handles) can be made from a harder material such as metal, rubber, plastic, etc., that can be stitched, glued, cemented, taped, or screwed into the insole or midsole or footbed of the sole member. If attached to the midsole, the insole can then be applied on top of the midsole and will have cutouts for the loop ends, so they rest on top of the insole or footbed. This might need to be custom made, or developed as part of a custom-molded footbed.

In certain embodiments, the loop fastening system can include at least four base loops on each insole. The base loops can be between ⅛″-½″ wide and between 3/16″-2¾″ in length. The base loops can be stitched, glued, cemented, or screwed onto the insole and/or midsole or footbed. If attached to the midsole, the insole will then be applied on top of the midsole and will have cutouts for the loop ends, so they rest on top of the insole or footbed. The loops to be made from fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, microfiber, metal, or another similar material

In certain embodiments, the interchangeable sandal straps form a shoe with the sole member. There can be at least two sandal straps needed for each base to form a shoe. As an alternative, a single larger sandal strap can be used in place of the two sandal straps. The sandal straps can be between 3/16″-2½″ wide. The straps to be made from fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, microfiber, metal, or another similar material.

Alternatively, a vertical fastening system can be used. There can be at least four vertical anchors, or tabs, on each base. Vertical anchors can be stitched, glued, or cemented onto the insole and/or midsole or footbed. If attached to the midsole, the insole will then be applied on top of the midsole and will have cutouts for the loop ends, so they rest on top of the insole or footbed. The vertical anchors can be between 3/16″-2¾″ wide. The vertical anchors can be made from fabric, leather, plastic, rubber, microfiber, metal, or another similar material.

In certain embodiments, one of the coupling members or mating member can include a magnet. This can allow magnetism to assist in aligning and fastening the coupler to the mating member when the user is assembling the shoe together.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. For example, one of skill in the art will understand that multiples of the described components may be used in stores and in various configurations. The present invention is therefore not to be limited to a single system, nor the upright pusher configuration, depicted in the Figures, as the system is simply illustrative of the features, teachings and principles of the invention. It should further be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe comprising: a sole member having a top surface and an edge circumscribing the sole member, the top surface including at least two sections of at least one pair of mating members, each mating member extending outwardly from the top surface of the sole member; and at least two straps, each strap having a first end and a second end and each of the first end and the second end including a coupling feature that affixes to the strap to the coupling feature of the mating member.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein one pair of mating members is a loop and at least one of the first end and the second end of at least one strap extends through the loop and the coupling feature affixes to the strap.
 3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the coupling feature affixes to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a snap or slide lock fastener.
 4. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the coupling feature affixes to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a hook and eye.
 5. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the coupling feature affixes to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a cuff link-styled connector.
 6. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the coupling feature affixes to a complementary coupling feature of the strap with a shirt stud-styled connector.
 7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein one pair of mating members is a tab including a complementary coupling features and at least one of the first end and the second end of at least one strap affixes the coupling feature of the strap to the coupling feature affixes to a complementary coupling feature of the strap of the tab.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature form a snap or slide lock fastener.
 9. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature form a hook and eye.
 10. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature include a hole that affixes a cuff link-styled connector.
 11. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the coupling feature and the complementary coupling feature include a hole that affixes a shirt stud-styled connector.
 12. A shoe system comprising: a sole member having a top surface and an edge circumscribing the sole member, the top surface including at least two sections of at least one pair of mating members, each mating member extending outwardly from the top surface of the sole member; and at least two straps, each strap having a first end and a second end and each of the first end and the second end including a coupling feature that affixes to the strap to the coupling feature of the mating member.
 13. The shoe of claim 12, further comprising a second set of at least two straps having a different appearance that the first at least two straps. 